China Expat's Top 5 Destinations

After almost four years of living in China, I have seen a fair amount of the vast country. Early on I realized there was much more to this country than the usual tourist stops. Beijing may have a great history, world-class restaurants, ample tourist sites and easy access to the Great Wall, but it is also a tourist trap. However, for anyone visiting China for the first time it is important to spend a few days in the capital.

Here is my list of top destinations in China:

Leshan

Leshan is one of the most popular day trips from Chengdu. The city itself has little to entice tourists, but it is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant Buddha of Leshan. The seated Buddha is 71 meters tall-the largest in the world.

The project began in the 8th century under the supervision of monk Hai Tong to protect ships passing through the confluence of the three rivers. When completed, the Giant Buddha did protect ships from the raging waters as the debris that was dumped into the rivers calmed the rapids.

The park that surrounds the Giant Buddha is well worth walking around if the weather permits.

Urumqi

I have a soft spot for destinations in Xinjiang province. Visiting this province is like traveling to another country while remaining in China. The capital city of Urumqi provides tourists with a glimpse of Uyghur life in China as well as a Silk Road history lesson. The local cuisine is more closely related to Turkish than Chinese, which can be a great culinary break on a trip through the country.

The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum is one of the best provincial museums I visited in China. They have free tours, and some of the guides speak English. The Grand Bazaar is an excellent place to buy souvenirs and sample local street food-it can take most of a day to walk through this enormous shopping area.

The best panoramic views of the city can be found on a short hike up Hong Shan (Red Mountain). While the park is home to vendors and amusement park games, it is still worth spending part of day walking around.

Guilin and Yangshuo

The most picturesque landscape in China is in Guangxi province. The majestic mountains that jut out of the ground are easily accessible on a trip through Guilin and Yangshuo.

As a major city, Guilin offers tourists more than just hikes up the mountains-there is also the Jinjiang Prince's Palace, which was built for the Ming princes in the late-1300s.

The best way to travel from Guilin to Yangshuo is by tour boat along the Li River. It takes about five hours on the river. The scenery on the way is beautiful. Tourists can also see locals on bamboo rafts in the river-some of them will try selling souvenirs to cruise ships.

Cars are banned from many streets in Yangshuo, which makes this town quieter and easier to walk through. There are also many shops that rent bicycles for the days it's not raining. The narrow streets are home to many hostels, coffee shops and bars. It has become very popular with international tourists and boasts a lively nightlife.

Fujian countryside

The final tour on which I embarked in China was also the most difficult for tourists who don't speak Chinese. The Fujian countryside has become more tourist friendly, but it still is not a major destination and lacks services for international travelers. The only way to reach this area is by bus or private car.

Among the terraced fields in Fujian province are tulou, earth buildings, that have stood in this region for hundreds of years. These buildings, home to the Hakka people of the region, cannot be found anywhere else in China. Most of the villages were named UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2008.

The best place to stay in the region is the village of Taxia.

Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou

I visited Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou during my first year in China, and it is still my favorite destination. Located in a Tibetan region of northern Sichuan province, these two national parks have unique natural features, which is why the Tibetans consider the region holy. Huanglong is an area of calcified pools than run down the mountain. After the snow melts, these pools are filled and reflect bright blue shades. There is a plank trail that loops up and down the mountain, taking visitors on an eight kilometer hike.

From Huanglong, it's a two-hour bus ride to Jiuzhaigou, a much larger national park that is home to nine villages (though only a few are within the actual park). Like Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou has colorful lakes and ponds that look surreal. A bus will take visitors through the park and makes numerous stops along the way-it is best to get off at less crowded stops and walk through park from there. There are many hiking trails off the main road for visitors to get away from the crowds of tourists as well. It is illegal to stay overnight in Jiuzhaigou, but there are plenty of locals who will provide a room for visitors.

The best times to visit Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou are in late spring and early fall. There is also a small airport in Huanglong.